Well, don't know if there is a perfect plan to see paradise - and there are a lot of posts and info you can find.

My thought would be to find the best deals/accommodations you can and work you schedule around that.

Since you said you were flying into Honolulu - would spend 3 or 4 days on Oahu - getting to know it and also - knowing you can more easily get deals back to Oahu than any other island - and maybe next head to Kauai (20 minute flight and easy to navigate the smaller island) - and explore it's legendary beauty - and finally - head over to Big Island - flying into Hilo for a visit to Akaka Falls and then the Volcano - before kicking back at a nice resort on the Kona Coast.

Kal, goes to Kauai every year at that time and I don't believe he has ever complained about crowds. Maybe he will chime in to give you the first person scoop.

Alohaaaaaa....We've done Christmas once..maybe twice and it was pretty quiet. The days between the day after Christmas and a few days after New Years are pretty crowded. Especially with the recent road work thru Wailua/Kapaa.

In answer to your thread title question, my non-scientific research is that I've never seen traffic on the Big Island like the usual jam-up trying to get through Kapaa on Kauai. So I'd first try to book a flight out of Hilo/Kona(?). Further rationale; that probably also works best in terms of air fare.

Kauai is my fave of the islands, but weather at that time is more likely to put a damper on activities you might be planning: hiking, snorkeling, Na Pali coast tour... helicopter tour even? So as much as it pains me, I'd suggest you allot fewer days there than the other two. It'd help, though, if we knew what activities you're thinking about for each island.

We stayed at this Hilo condo last year. Really nice and the owner was easy to work with, and a great price.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/231062

Remember that all the other islands could be fitted onto the Big Island with room left over.

Both will obviously be busy but there will be some parts which are much busier than others.

Thx a mint for replies and helpful info!

Tomsd, will definitely fly in & out of BI from different airports.

Kal, thx for your firsthand account.

22tango, appreciate your thoughts. I was trying to avoid a sprawling post so refrained from mentioning activities - mostly as you describe! Snorkeling (have our own gear), kayaking (once/island?), short hikes (max 4 hrs), beaches, volcano helicopter tour on BI, plus the usual tourist things like Iolani Palace, Pearl Harbor, afternoon tea at Surfrider but will likely pass on the Poly Center, Dole Plantation.

I'll take your advice and allocate fewer days to Kauai and then have longer to split my stay btwn Hilo and Kona.

For Kauai, I've decided to stay on the south side due to the seasonal rains/strong currents that will likely happen in the north. Of course, we'll drive up there for a visit or two.

The thread on drownings was very educational and eye opening for me and now has me second guessing my plans for snorkeling and renting kayaks and going out for the day on our own. We're open to guided day tours but usually we find we don't get in enough paddling due to the first-timers in the group. We like to watch the ocean so I was thinking of watching waves but I had no idea of the level of danger and that sets of waves could just rush in and carry people off.

DebitNM, wow, that place looks great - thx for sharing your find. I'd stayed at ABB places before but for some reason never thought to look there for this stay (was checking out vrbo and a couple of other sites). Thx for the tip!

Dukey1, that's why I was thinking of doing BI last. Plus I've often experienced that even if some place is busy, if one goes just 5 or 10 mins down a trail, you are usually alone.

Seems like I was really getting bogged down in where everything is located, figuring out the names I'd read: is that a beach? town? area? resort? I still have to go through all that but after reading this thread, I feel good to look look for airfare for Oahu, Kauai, then BI. Fodorites are great!

Enjoy-la!

Suzie, thx for flagging Kal...LOL!

Not sure how this got left out!

Enjoy-la!

You might find this map helpful in locating where certain places are in relation to other places in the islands. http://mapcarta.com/24043946

Good call on So'side pick for Dec.
If you are there for Christmas and want a Christmas brunch/dinner may want to make ressies early. Lot of the regular restos are closed so hotel restos and some of the "biggie" indies only show in town.

flying in and out of different sides of BI is not ALWAYS the best plan. You should explore all options. It really depends on your schedule and lodging choices. For us flying in and out of Kona worked best when we last visited, staying 4 nights in Hawi and 4 nights in Volcano. We had an evening departure, so checking out late morning and spending a leisurely day driving back to the other side and exploring new areas was the perfect for us, with a final sunset and a lite meal at the 4Seasons.

Hilo side will be wet. We like that, and loved staying in Volcano to that we could enjoy the park early morning and late night and explore other areas mid day.
We loved this place, but there are lots of options, as well as Volcano House that reopens this year.
http://mailetreehouse.com/952.html
http://www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/lodging.htm

martym, wow, that was an amazing map - had not come across it before so much appreciated!

Kal, never thought I'd have to think about Xmas dinner so early...LOL! Thx a mint for the heads up - one of those details easily missed. I'm all about food but never had a Christmas brunch before - sounds fab. Any favorite places on BI Kona-side, that you care to share?

Lookin_Glass, thx for your thoughts and links. I saw the gov't site before and will be watching it to see when the rest of the lodgings open up for 2013 bookings on it. Will look into the other one too.

Hope to secure airfare this weekend!

Enjoy-la!

Two good beaches on the south and west shore are Poipu Beach State Park and Salt Pond Beach, both have lifeguards, restrooms and showers, etc. Enjoy your trip.